Height adjustment system for a plurality of spray guns used in a line striper

ABSTRACT

An effective implementation is shown for a height adjustment system for a plurality of spray guns used in a line striper.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.16/048,219, filed Jul. 27, 2018, pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of line stripers.More specifically, the present invention is related to a heightadjustment system for one or more spray guns used in a line striper.

Discussion of Prior Art

FIG. 1(A) illustrates a typical prior art walk-behind line striper forspraying lines on a road, parking lot, etc. In this example, the useruses the handle bars to guide the line striper and uses a hand-operatedrelease mechanism to spray the paint onto the desired surface.

FIG. 1(B) illustrates a prior art ride-on unit that may be used inconjunction with a line striper, such as the one shown in FIG. 1(A).Such a ride-on unit provides the convenience of automating movement ofthe line striper and helps reduce fatigue and increases productivity.

While FIG. 1(A) depicts a line striper with a single spray gun forpainting one line, it is known in the prior art to have two-gun systemswith two spray guns. An example of such a two-gun system is shown inFIG. 1(C), with a close-up of the spray guns shown in FIG. 1(D).

FIG. 1(E) depicts parts associated with a typical prior art line striper100. In striper 100 of the prior art, frame rails 102 and 103 rungenerally parallel to one another. A spray gun mount tube 104 is mountedto rail 103 only using clamp 106. A mounting bracket 108 is attached togun mount tube 104 and retains spray gun mounting means 110 therein. Agasoline engine 112 is mounted on frame rails 102 and 103.

In the prior art, the height of the spray gun is adjusted manually usingclamp 114, which is loosened allowing the mounting bracket piece holdingthe spray gun to be moved vertically on pole 116. Once the desiredheight is reached, the user then locks in the height by tightening clamp114. While there are minor variations regarding how the spray gun may bemanually mounted onto the pole or other elements of the line striper, auser has to manually adjust the height (to a desired height) of thespray gun in all prior art line striping systems.

Accordingly, a major problem associated with such prior art stripers isthat they do not give a user (of the striper) an easy way to adjust theheight of the spray gun. Such height adjustment is critical to obtain aproper width of the painted line. That is, the height of the striperneeds to be adjusted on any given day (or more than once during the day)depending on various factors, such as the outside temperature at thetime of use (of the striper), composition of the paint, viscosity of thepaint, humidity of the air, etc.

For example, depending on the temperature on a given day compared towhen the striper was last used, the height of the striper may need to beadjusted (to account for the new day's temperature) to get a line of thedesired dimension. Similarly, depending on the type of paint used in thestriper (compared to what was used the last time), the height of thestriper may need to be adjusted (to account for the new paint beingused) to get a line of the desired dimension.

In such situations, the user of such prior art stripers would firstoperate it and notice that the desired dimension of the line is notbeing attained. In response, the user (of the striper) would have tostop the striper and manually adjust the clamp/height mechanism toanother height and paint the line again to see if the desired width isobtained. If the desired dimensions are not obtained, the user (of thestriper) iteratively repeats the procedure manually until the desiredwidth of the painted line is achieved. This is a time-consumingprocedure and is not optimized to obtain the desired width of thepainted line.

Whatever the precise merits, features, and advantages of the above notedprior art, none of them achieves or fulfills the purposes of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a spray gun heightadjustment system for use in a line striper comprising: (a) a controldevice receiving a plurality of inputs, the plurality of inputscorresponding to line of a desired dimension; (b) a first spray gunmount bar having a first gun holder assembly to retain a first spray gunconfigured to paint the line of the desired dimension; (c) a firstheight adjustment mechanism coupled to the first spray gun mount barconfigured to raise or lower the first spray gun mount bar in responseto each input in the plurality of inputs received via the controldevice; (d) a second spray gun mount bar having a second gun holderassembly to retain a second spray gun configured to paint the line ofthe desired dimension; (e) a second height adjustment mechanism coupledto the second spray gun mount bar configured to raise or lower thesecond spray gun mount bar in response to each input in the plurality ofinputs received via the control device, wherein the control devicetransmits, for each input in the plurality of inputs, a signal to thefirst height adjustment mechanism and the second height adjustmentmechanism to raise or lower the first spray gun mount bar and the secondgun mount bar, wherein the first height adjustment mechanism and secondheight adjustment mechanism, responsive to the signal, raising orlowering the first spray gun mount bar and the second spray gun mountbar until painted line is of the desired dimension.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a spray gun heightadjustment system for use in a line striper comprising: (a) a controldevice receiving a plurality of inputs, the plurality of inputscorresponding to a first line of a first desired dimension and a secondline of a second desired dimension; (b) a first spray gun mount barhaving a first gun holder assembly to retain a first spray gunconfigured to paint the first line of the first desired dimension; (c) afirst height adjustment mechanism coupled to the first spray gun mountbar configured to raise or lower the first spray gun mount bar inresponse to at least a first set of inputs in the plurality of inputsreceived via the control device; (d) a second spray gun mount bar havinga second gun holder assembly to retain a second spray gun configured topaint the second line of the second desired dimension; (e) a secondheight adjustment mechanism coupled to the second spray gun mount barconfigured to raise or lower the second spray gun mount bar in responseto at least a second set of inputs in the plurality of inputs receivedvia the control device, wherein the control device transmits, for eachinput in the first set of inputs, a signal to the first heightadjustment mechanism to raise or lower the first spray gun mount bar,and transmits, for each input in the second set of inputs, anothersignal to the second height adjustment mechanism to raise or lower thesecond spray gun mount bar, and wherein the first height adjustmentmechanism, responsive to the signal, raising or lowering the first spraygun mount bar until painted line is of the first desired dimension andwherein the second height adjustment mechanism, responsive to theanother signal, raising or lowering the second spray gun mount bar untilpainted line is of the second desired dimension.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a spray gunheight adjustment system for use in a line striper comprising: (a) acontrol device receiving at least a first input and a second input, thefirst and second inputs corresponding to a first line of a first desireddimension and a second line of a second desired dimension, respectively;(b) a first spray gun mount bar having a first gun holder assembly toretain a first spray gun configured to paint the first line of the firstdesired dimension; (c) a first height adjustment mechanism coupled tothe first spray gun mount bar configured to raise or lower the firstspray gun mount bar in response to the first and second inputs receivedvia the control device; (d) a second spray gun mount bar having a secondgun holder assembly to retain a second spray gun configured to paint thesecond line of the second desired dimension; (e) a second heightadjustment mechanism coupled to the second spray gun mount barconfigured to raise or lower the second spray gun mount bar in responseto the first and second inputs received via the control device, whereinthe control device transmits a first signal representative of the firstinput to the first and second height adjustment mechanisms, and thefirst and second height adjustment mechanisms, responsive to the firstsignal, raising or lowering the first and second spray gun mount bars,and the control device transmits a second signal representative of thesecond input to the first and second height adjustment mechanisms, andthe first and second height adjustment mechanisms, responsive to thesecond signal, raising or lowering the first and second spray gun mountbar resulting in the line of the desired dimension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(A)-(E) illustrate prior art line stripers with manual heightadjustment mechanism.

FIGS. 2-3 and 21-28 illustrate one non-limiting example of a height andangular adjustment mechanism for a spray head in a line striper.

FIGS. 4 and 5 (A)-(B) illustrate another non-limiting example of aheight adjustment mechanism for a spray head in a line striper.

FIGS. 6(A)-(B) illustrate another non-limiting example of a heightadjustment mechanism and angular adjustment mechanism for a spray headin a line striper FIGS. 7(A)-(F) illustrate the rotational movement ofthe spray head based on linear movement of element 630 in FIGS.6(A)-(B).

FIG. 8(A) depicts a non-limiting example showing how the linear motionof a mechanism such as a piston-based mechanism may be used to raise orlower the spray gun mount bar having the spray head.

FIGS. 8(B) and 8(C) depict another non-limiting example showing how therotational motion of a mechanism such as a linear sliding mechanism maybe used to rotate the spray head in a clockwise or counter-clockwisemanner.

FIG. 9(A) depicts another non-limiting example where a linear motion isused to change the height of the spray gun mount bar having the sprayhead and FIGS. 9(B)-(C) depicts another non-limiting example where therotational motion of a motor attached to a platform holding the sprayhead is used to rotate the spray head.

FIGS. 10-12 depict a non-limiting example of an interface of anapplication that is used to control various features described above,including changing the height of the spray gun mount bar having thespray head or rotating the spray gun mount bar having the spray head.

FIGS. 13(A)-(B), 14(A)-(B), and 15(A)-(F) depict how the height andangular rotation of a laser and camera pair are controlled.

FIGS. 16-19 depict a non-limiting example of an interface of anapplication that is used to provide the operator with control overoperating the laser and positioning the laser in a desired positionprior to the start of the striping operation.

FIGS. 20(A)-(D) depict various non-limiting examples of control devices.

FIGS. 29-32 depict another example where the rotational movement isaccomplished using a motor.

FIGS. 33-35 depict various kits that may be sold for height adjustmentand/or angular adjustment of the spray head.

FIGS. 36(A)-(B), 37 and 38 depict various examples where a plurality ofspray heads are used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferredembodiment, the device may be produced in many different configurations,forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will hereinbe described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention, withthe understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and the associatedfunctional specifications for its construction and is not intended tolimit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in theart will envision many other possible variations within the scope of thepresent invention.

In FIGS. 2-3 , striper 200, has frame rails 202 and 203 that rungenerally parallel to one another. A spray gun mount tube 204 is mountedto rail 203. A gasoline engine 212 is mounted on frame rails 202 and203. Gasoline engine 212 is used to transport the paint in materialcontainer (or paint bucket) 232 to the spray gun 210 via the flexiblespray hose 230 (which continues as tube 238 near spray gun 210) that isretained within a gun holder assembly 234

As best shown in FIGS. 2-3 , the spray gun 210 has a trigger which isactivated by use of a flexible cable 218 (which, in a non-limitingexample, is a Bowden cable) connected to a pivotable lever (or spraylever) 219 mounted on the handle 209. By squeezing the lever 219 againstthe handle 209, the trigger on the spray gun 210 is activated causing avalve within the spray gun 210 to open resulting in paint being sprayedfrom a nozzle of the spray gun 210 when pressurized paint is in the tube238.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2-3 , the present invention'sheight adjustment mechanism 214 is a linear actuator such as a simplerack-and-pinion-based assembly. In the example shown in FIGS. 2-3 , the,generally horizontal, spray gun mount bar 208 and the, generallyvertical, height adjustment mechanism 214 (mounted on a vertical support2302 in FIGS. 23, 24, 26, and 30 ) are mounted on the spray gun mounttube 204 as shown. The spray gun 210 is retained within a gun holderassembly 234 that may either be part of, or is attached to, the spraygun mount bar 208. A knob 236 may be provided in the gun holder assembly234 which may be rotated to securely hold the spray gun 210 in place. Inthis example, a generally vertical element (see vertical support 2302 inFIGS. 23, 24, 26, and 30 ) holding the height adjustment mechanism 214and a generally horizontal spray gun mount bar 208 (where the spray gunmount bar 208 has the gun holder assembly 234 in which a spray gun 210may be retained) are placed in position as shown by mounting thecombination of the vertical element and the horizontal element onto thespray gun mount tube 204.

In this non-limiting example, the vertical element comprising the heightadjustment mechanism is attached to a hollow tube 240, whose dimensionsallow it to be slid over the spray gun mount tube 204 as shown in FIGS.2-3 . A locking mechanism, such as a support bar knob 241 (see, forexample, FIG. 23 ), may be provided to lock the hollow tube 240 in placeon the spray gun mount tube 204. It should be noted that while it isshown where the hollow tube 240, which is slightly larger in dimensionslides over the spray gun mount tube 204, it could just as easily bemade where hollow tube 240 contains a portion of another tube insertedwithin it, where at least another portion of the remainder of theanother tube is inserted inside the spray gun mount tube 204. Thespecific shape of the hollow tube/spray gun mount tube or the specificmanner in which the hollow tube is mounted to the spray gun mount tubeshould not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

An operator adjusts the height of the spray gun 210 (retained in the gunholder assembly 234) on the spray gun mount bar 208 by raising orlowering the spray gun mount bar 208 that is attached to the heightadjustment mechanism, where a control device 216 is used to do suchraising or lowering. FIGS. 20(A) through 20(C) depict non-limitingexamples of such a control device that may be used to raise or lower thespray gun 210 retained in the gun holder assembly 234. For example, thecontrol device 216 may have control buttons disposed thereon which theuser may operate to control the raising or lowering of the spray gunmount bar 208, which in turn raises or lowers the spray gun 210 that ismounted on the spray gun mount bar 208.

A user control device 216 is used to control the height of the heightadjustment mechanism 214. An example of the user control device 216 isshown in FIG. 20(A) wherein various control elements (e.g., buttons,keys, scroll wheels, sliders, etc.) may be provided to adjust the heightof the spray gun 210 via the height adjustment mechanism 214. It shouldbe noted that while the control device 216 is shown with a plurality ofcontrol elements disposed thereon, other control elements are alsoenvisioned within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 20(B) depicts one such non-limiting example of a joystick-typedevice that may be disposed in lieu of the buttons, where the joystickmay be operated upon to similarly control the height adjustmentmechanism 214, which in turn controls the height of the spray gun 210.

FIG. 20(C) depicts another such non-limiting example of a keypad-typedevice that may be disposed in lieu of the buttons of FIG. 20(A), wherethe keypad may be operated upon to similarly control the heightadjustment mechanism 214, which in turn controls the height of the spraygun 210.

In one embodiment, cable 221 is not needed as signals from the controldevice 216 are transmitted wirelessly to the height adjustment mechanism214. For example, the control device 216 and the height adjustmentmechanism 214 may communicate via Bluetooth®, where instructions toadjust the height of the spray gun 210 are transmitted via Bluetooth®from the control device 216 to a Bluetooth® receiver (or Bluetooth®transceiver) located either within the height adjustment mechanism 214or within close proximity of the height adjustment mechanism 214.

While Bluetooth® is mentioned in this disclosure for transmitting heightadjustment commands, other wireless solutions, such as, but not limitedto, wireless personal area networks (WPANs) or Wireless ad hoc networks(WANETs), could also be used without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For example, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), wireless datatransmission based on magnetic induction (e.g., induction wireless),infrared wireless (e.g., wireless communications based on the InfraredData Association (IrDA) standard), Wireless USB, ZigBee, Z-Wave,wireless communications based on wireless millimeter-wave (MMW or mmW)technology, peer-to-peer or ad hoc wireless LAN, wireless communicationsbased on Wi-Fi (e.g., Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or peer-to-peer (P2P)Wi-Fi, etc.) to name a few, may also be used.

In another embodiment, the control device 216 may be a touchscreen thatcan communicate with the height control mechanism 214 either via a cable218 or via a wireless connection (using a wireless connection asdescribed above). The touch screen may be used to display graphically aheight adjustment mechanism (e.g., a graphical slider), which the useruses to adjust to control the height of the spray gun 210 via the heightadjust mechanism 214. In an extended embodiment, the touchscreen may becovered with a disposable protective cover (to protect the controldevice from paint smears, etc.) that is made of see-through material(e.g., plastic). Such a disposable protective cover may be replaced witha new one should there be paint smears, residue, dirt, etc. on the oldone.

FIG. 20(D) depicts another such non-limiting example where the controldevice 216 could be a mobile device that can communicate wirelessly withthe height adjustment mechanism. For example, the control device 216 maybe a smartphone or a tablet or a PDA which can communicate with theheight control mechanism 214 over a wireless protocol, e.g., Bluetooth®,where a user may operate an application within the smartphone or tabletto send signals to the height control mechanism 214.

Non-limiting examples of mobile devices include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, etc. The user interacts with an application(i.e., an app) on the mobile device to set the desired height (e.g., byeither entering a desired height or by iteratively adjusting graphicallya control, such as a slider, to move the spray gun 210 to the desiredheight), where instructions from the mobile device for such heightadjustment are wirelessly transmitted to a controller that controls amotor 702 to move the rack-and-pinion assembly 214 to the desiredheight. Similarly, instructions from the mobile device for rotation ofthe spray gun (by, for example, rotating the spray gun mount bar 208)may be wirelessly transmitted to a controller that controls a motor thateffects such rotation (of, for example, the spray gun mount bar 208) toset the spray gun to the desired angle. The controller and motor may becombined into a single unit, or the controller may be present elsewhereon the striper.

Additionally, buttons may be provided on the user control device 216which may be programmable (e.g., programmable via a touch screen alsoprovided as part of the user control device 216). For example, the usermay assign (via, for example, a touch screen also provided as part ofthe user control device 216) one of the buttons to correspond to apre-determined height associated with the spray gun 210.

In another example, the striper may also be equipped with a globalpositioning system (GPS) and a memory (not shown), where, after settinga height using the user control device 216, a height of the spray gun210 may be recorded (e.g., in the storage of the mobile device, or maybe temporarily stored onboard the striper and transferred to the mobiledevice at a later point) for a given location (where the location isderived using the GPS system), where the recorded information may berecalled for setting the height of the spray gun during future use ofthe striper at the same location.

In another example, the temperature on a given day when the striper waslast used along with the height used may be recorded (e.g., in thestorage of the mobile device, or may be temporarily stored onboard thestriper and transferred to the mobile device at a later point). When asimilar temperature is observed on another day, the stored height may beused as a starting point to set the height of the spray gun. Theoperator may adjust the height further to get a line of the desireddimension.

In another example, the type of paint used when the striper was lastused along with the height used may be recorded (e.g., in the storage ofthe mobile device, or may be temporarily stored onboard the striper andtransferred to the mobile device at a later point). When a similar paintis used (as indicated by a user in the app on the mobile device) onanother day, the stored height may be used as a starting point to setthe height of the spray gun. The operator may adjust the height furtherto get a line of the desired dimension.

Other parameters such as humidity of the air, viscosity of the paintused, composition of the paint use, etc. may be input into the app,where such information is correlated with the height set in eachinstance and stored (e.g., in the storage of the mobile device, or maybe temporarily stored onboard the striper and transferred to the mobiledevice at a later point). When a similar parameter is entered (asindicated by a user in the app on the mobile device; e.g., a paint withsimilar viscosity) on another day, the corresponding stored height maybe used as a starting point to set the height of the spray gun. Theoperator may adjust the height further to get a line of the desireddimension.

Such stored information in the mobile device may be transmitted to adatabase for storage where such data regarding the height of the spraygun correlated with other factors may be shared with other users who mayaccess such information via the app. The app may initialize the desiredheight automatically based on such accessed information.

In one example, a height of the spray gun 210 may be recorded, and acontrol element (such as, a button or a slider on a touch screen) on theuser control device 216 may be programmed such that subsequent operationof that control element on the user control device 216 recalls, from amemory (not shown), the height that the spray gun needs to be set.

In one embodiment, one or more cameras 242 may be mounted, for example,on the spray gun mount bar 208. Camera(s) 242 may be mounted elsewhereon the line striper as long as the placement location of such cameraprovides a clear view of the striping operation. The location of thecamera(s) 242 should not be used to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Camera(s) 242 may be provided for viewing the stripingoperation on a display that may be part of the control device 216 or ona display that is separate from the control device 216. For example, thecontrol device 216 may be a smartphone or tablet and the output of thecamera may be viewed (via, for example, an app) on the smartphone ortablet. As another example, the control device 216 may be as shown inFIGS. 20(A)-(C) where view of the striping operation may be wirelesslytransmitted to an external device such as a smart phone or tablet thatthe operator carries to view the striping operation. Such wirelesstransmission (for transmitting camera data to a display or for sendingcamera commands from the control device 216 to the camera 242) may beaccomplished via, for example, a Bluetooth® transmitter or transceiverthat is part of the camera 242.

While Bluetooth® is mentioned in this disclosure for transmitting cameradata or commands to the camera 242 from the control device 216, otherwireless solutions, such as, but not limited to, wireless personal areanetworks (WPANs) or Wireless ad hoc networks (WANETs), could also beused without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), wireless data transmission based onmagnetic induction (e.g., induction wireless), infrared wireless (e.g.,wireless communications based on the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)standard), Wireless USB, ZigBee, Z-Wave, wireless communications basedon wireless millimeter-wave (MMW or mmW) technology, peer-to-peer or adhoc wireless LAN, wireless communications based on Wi-Fi (e.g., Ad-HocWi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or peer-to-peer (P2P) Wi-Fi, etc.) to name a few,may also be used.

In FIGS. 2-3 , an operator uses the control device 216 (examples shownin FIGS. 20(A)-(D)) to adjust the height of the spray gun mount bar 208which retains the spray gun 210. FIG. 21 depicts, in greater detail, theheight adjustment mechanism 214, particularly with respect to therack-and-pinion assembly. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view defined byline 22-22 of FIG. 21 . FIG. 23 depicts a front view the line striper asshown in FIG. 21 . FIG. 24 depicts a rear view the line striper as shownin FIG. 21 . The rack-and-pinion assembly comprises a vertical rack 502whose slots a pinion 504 engages, where a rotational motion of thepinion 504 (caused by a motor 702 (see FIGS. 23 and 24 )) moves itvertically (up or down), which provides the necessary height adjustment.Such movement may be effected, as described above, using the usercontrol device 216, which transmits height control instructions fromuser either via a cable 221 or wirelessly to a controller that controlsa motor 702 (Note: the controller and motor may be one unit as shown aselement 702 in FIGS. 23 and 24 ) which effects the required rotation(i.e., required to move the spray gun to the desired height) of thepinion 504 of the rack-and-pinion assembly 214. FIG. 25 depicts a viewwhen the spray gun mount bar 208 shown in FIG. 21 is raised to a givenheight by an operator using the control device 216.

It should be noted that while a separate motor 702 is shown forillustration purposes in FIGS. 23 and 24 , such a motor 702 can be madeto reside anywhere on the line striper. The location of the motor 702should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that while a rack-and-pinion assembly is shown in theaccompanying figures for adjustment of the height of the spray gun,other height adjustment mechanisms are also envisioned.

Some non-limiting examples of height adjustments mechanisms that may beused are listed below:

-   -   Mechanical linear actuators/Electro-mechanical actuators: Such        mechanical linear actuators operate by converting rotary motion        into linear motion, where non-limiting examples of such a        conversion via mechanisms such as (but not limited to): screw        actuators (e.g., leadscrew actuators, screw jack actuators, ball        screw actuators, roller screw actuator, etc.), where by rotating        an actuator's nut, the screw shaft moves in a line; wheel and        axle actuators (e.g., hoist actuator, winch actuator, rack and        pinion actuator, chain drive actuator, belt drive actuator,        rigid chain actuator, and rigid belt actuator operate on the        principle of the wheel and axle, etc.), where in such wheel and        axle actuators a rotating wheel moves a cable, rack, chain or        belt to produce linear motion; cam actuators. Electro-mechanical        actuators are similar to mechanical actuators except with an        additional component—electric motor, wherein the rotary motion        of the motor is converted to linear displacement.    -   Hydraulic actuators: Examples include hydraulic actuators or        hydraulic cylinders that comprise a hollow cylinder with a        piston within, where pressure applied to the piston generates        force that can move an external object. Hydraulic actuators may        be controlled by a hydraulic pump.    -   Pneumatic actuators: Pneumatic actuators, or pneumatic cylinders        use compressed gas to generate force (in lieu of a liquid, as is        the case of hydraulic actuators). While pneumatic actuators are        possible, it should be noted that they may be large, bulky, and        loud, and may also be prone to leaks.    -   Piezoelectric actuators: In piezoelectric actuators, an electric        field (or voltage) is applied, which induces a strain or        displacement in a given direction.    -   Twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) actuators or supercoiled        polymer (SCP) actuator, which involves a coiled polymer that can        be actuated by electric power.    -   Linear motors: A linear motor is functionally the same as a        rotary electric motor with the rotor and stator circular        magnetic field components laid out in a straight line. Since the        motor moves in a linear fashion, no lead screw is needed to        convert rotary motion to linear motion.    -   Telescoping linear actuator: Telescoping linear actuators are        typically made of concentric tubes that extend and retract like        sleeves, much like a telescopic cylinder. Other more telescoping        actuators exit where actuating members act as rigid linear        shafts when extended, but break that line by folding, separating        into pieces and/or uncoiling when retracted. Non-limiting        examples of telescoping linear actuators include: helical band        actuator, rigid belt actuator, rigid chain actuator, and        segmented spindle.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of an example of a linear actuator used asthe height adjustment mechanism. FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) depict a side viewof the same linear actuator that is used as the height adjustmentmechanism. In FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), a generally horizontalplatform 412 has a first, generally vertical, element 404 that has thehorizontal platform 412 attached at one end and a hollow tube portion402 attached at the other end. While elements 402, 404, and 412 areshown as separate elements, they could be made as a single element, orthey could be made in twos (i.e., 402 and 404 as a single element and412 as another single element, and other variations thereof). The hollowtube portion 402 slides onto a spray gun mount tube 405 of a linestriper to hold everything in place.

It should be noted that while it is shown where the hollow tube portion402, which is slightly larger in dimension slides over the spray gunmount tube 405, it could just as easily be made where hollow tubeportion 402 contains a portion of another tube located within it, whereat least another portion of the remainder of the another tube isinserted inside the spray gun mount tube 405. The shape of the hollowtube portion/spray gun mount tube or the specific manner in which thehollow tube is mounted to the spray gun mount tube should not be used tolimit the scope of the invention.

The generally horizontal platform 412 supports a generally verticalhousing 408 which has within a rod 410 which variably (i.e., variable inthe length that protrudes out of the housing 408) extends in and out ofthe housing 408 based on the operation of a motor 414 (e.g., a brushedD.C. motor) which is controlled by the previously described controldevice. Spray gun mount bar 417 is attached to rod 410, for example,another hollow tube or a clamp. The spray gun 416 is retained within agun holder assembly 420 that may either be part of, or is attached to,the spray gun mount bar 417. A knob 422 may be provided in the gunholder assembly 420 which may be rotated to securely hold the spray gun416 in place.

In practice, the operator uses the previously described control deviceto raise or lower the spray gun 416 (retained in the gun holder assembly420) on the spray gun mount bar 417. FIG. 5(B) depicts a risingoperation where the motor 414 controls the stroke length of the rod 410and shortens it by Δh (as compared to the height in FIG. 5(A)) accordingto a signal received (either over a wire or wirelessly) from thepreviously described control device.

In one embodiment, one or more cameras 424 may be mounted, for example,on the spray gun mount bar 417. Camera(s) 424 may be mounted elsewhereon the line striper as long as the placement location of such cameraprovides a clear view of the striping operation. The location of thecamera(s) 424 should not be used to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Camera(s) 424 may be provided for viewing the stripingoperation on a display that may be part of the previously describedcontrol device or on a display that is separate from the previouslydescribed control device. For example, the control device may be asmartphone or tablet and the output of the camera may be viewed on thesmartphone or tablet. As another example, the control device may be asshown in FIGS. 20(A)-(C) where view of the striping operation may bewirelessly transmitted to an external device such as a smart phone ortablet that the operator carries to view the striping operation. Suchwireless transmission (for transmitting camera data to a display or forsending camera commands from the control device to the camera 424) maybe accomplished via, for example, a Bluetooth® transmitter ortransceiver that is part of the camera 424.

It should be noted that while a separate motor 414 is shown forillustration purposes, such a motor 414 can be made to be part ofhousing 408 or can be made to be within the generally horizontalplatform 412. The location of the motor 414 should not be used to limitthe scope of the present invention.

FIG. 33 depicts an example kit that may be sold for height adjustment ofthe spray gun, where the kit may be mounted onto an existing linestriper system. The control device (e.g., as shown in 20(A) through (C))may also be included as part of the kit.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 , in one embodiment, in addition to being able toadjust the height of the spray gun as described above, one can angularlyadjust the orientation of the spray gun. FIGS. 23, 24, and 26 depict amotor 705, which imparts a pushing or pulling force on cable 2104. Thecable 2104 is connected to spring 2106, which is connected to element2108, which in turn is connected to clamp 2110. Clamp 2110 is fit aroundthe spray gun mount bar 208, with element 2108 attached to the clamp2110 on one side. Element 2108 allows the spring to be connected to theclamp 2110. When a pushing force is imparted on the cable 2104 by motor705, it imparts the force on elements 2108 and 2110 which causes arotational movement in the spray gun mount bar, causing the spray head210 to rotate.

FIG. 21 also depicts a gas strut arrangement 2102 (which is also calledreferred to as a gas spring, gas lift, pneumatic spring, or gas prop)which is used to reset the position of the spray gun back to a defaultposition after it is moved rotationally. The gas strut arrangement 2102is attached to a clamp 2402, which is fit around the spray gun mount bar208 in the rear side as shown in FIG. 24 . Movement of the rod in thegas strut arrangement 2102 causes rotational movement to be imparted tothe spray gun mount bar 208. For example, in FIG. 23 , if the cable 2104is driven upwards by motor 705, which causes a rotation of the sprayhead 210 in a counter-clockwise direction. Once the striping operationrequiring the angular rotation of the spray head 210 is complete, thetension in the cable 2104 is released (and, by extension, the tension inthe spring 2106 is released). When such tension is released in the cable2104, the gas strut arrangement 2102 provides a rotational force in aclockwise direction to position the spray head 210 back to a defaultposition (e.g., at a vertical position with respect to the ground asshown in FIG. 23 ). Spring 2112 (as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 26-28 ) isprovided to maintain a tension in the direction of the spring 2112 andholds spring 2106 substantially steady so that the spray head 210 doesnot move around.

FIGS. 23, 24, 26, 28, and 30-32 , all depict one or more power sources,which provides power for all electronics (e.g., cameras, motors, etc.)that are part of this invention. Wires emanating from the power sourcesto individual electronics are not shown for keeping the figures simple.Non-limiting examples of such power sources include portablerechargeable power supplies, batteries, etc. The type of power supplyunit(s), the number of power supply unit(s), or the location of thepower supply unit(s) should not be used to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) and FIGS. 7(A) through 7(F) depict anotherrotational adjustment mechanism for the spray head. FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)depict a front view of the same linear actuator that is used as theheight adjustment mechanism. FIGS. 7(A) through 7(F) depict how a secondlinear actuator may be used to effect rotational motion of the sprayhead. In FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) and FIGS. 7(A) through 7(F), the heightadjustment is similar to that of FIGS. 4, 5 (A), and 5(B). In FIGS. 6(A)and 6(B), a generally horizontal platform 612 has a first, generallyvertical, element 604 that has the horizontal platform 612 attached atone end and a hollow tube portion 602 attached at the other end. Whileelements 602, 604, and 612 are shown as separate elements, they could bemade as a single element, or they could be made in twos (i.e., 602 and604 as a single element and 612 as another single element, and othervariations thereof). The hollow tube portion 602 slides onto a spray gunmount tube 605 of a line striper to hold everything in place.

It should be noted that while it is shown where the hollow tube portion602, which is slightly larger in dimension slides over the spray gunmount tube 605, it could just as easily be made where hollow tubeportion 602 contains a portion of another tube located within it, whereat least another portion of the remainder of the another tube isinserted inside the spray gun mount tube 605. The shape of the hollowtube portion/spray gun mount tube or the specific manner in which thehollow tube is mounted to the spray gun mount tube should not be used tolimit the scope of the invention.

The generally horizontal platform 612 supports a generally verticalhousing 608 which has within a rod 610 which variably (i.e., variable inthe length that protrudes out of the housing 608) extends in and out ofthe housing 608 based on the operation of a motor 614 (e.g., a brushedD.C. motor) which is controlled by the previously described controldevice. Spray gun mount bar 617 is attached to rod 610 via, for example,another hollow tube or a clamp. The spray gun 616 is retained within agun holder assembly 620 that may either be part of, or is attached to,the spray gun mount bar 617. A knob 622 may be provided in the gunholder assembly 620 which may be rotated to securely hold the spray gun616 in place.

In practice, the operator uses the previously described control deviceto raise or lower the spray gun 616 (retained in the gun holder assembly620) on the spray gun mount bar 617. FIG. 5(B) depicts a risingoperation where the motor 614 controls the stroke length of the rod 610and shortens or lengthens it to raise or lower the spray gun 616.

In one embodiment, one or more cameras 624 may be mounted, for example,on the spray gun mount bar 617. Camera(s) 624 may be mounted elsewhereon the line striper as long as the placement location of such cameraprovides a clear view of the striping operation. The location of thecamera(s) 624 should not be used to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Camera(s) 624 may be provided for viewing the stripingoperation on a display that may be part of the previously describedcontrol device or on a display that is separate from the previouslydescribed control device. For example, the control device may be asmartphone or tablet and the output of the camera may be viewed on thesmartphone or tablet. As another example, the control device may be asshown in FIGS. 20(A)-(C) where view of the striping operation may bewirelessly transmitted to an external device such as a smart phone ortablet that the operator carries to view the striping operation. Suchwireless transmission (for transmitting camera data to a display or forsending camera commands from the control device to the camera 624) maybe accomplished via, for example, a Bluetooth® transmitter ortransceiver that is part of the camera 624.

A second linear actuator is provided to control the rotation of thespray head 616. The generally horizontal platform 612 supports anothergenerally vertical housing 628 which has within a rod 630 which variably(i.e., variable in the length that protrudes out of the housing 628)extends in and out of the housing 628 based on the operation of anothermotor 626 (e.g., a brushed D.C. motor) which is controlled by thepreviously described control device. Rod 630 is connected to another rod632, which in turn is connected to the spray gun mount bar 617. Thissetup converts the linear motion of the actuator (elements 626, 628 and630) into a rotational motion that is used to rotate the spray gun mountbar 617 holding the spray head 616.

FIGS. 7(A) through 7(C) illustrate an example of how such rotationalmotion is achieved. FIG. 7(A) depicts the rod 630 at a starting positionwhere the spray head 616 is disposed at an angle given by θ₁. FIG. 7(D)depicts a simplified diagram showing the angle θ₁ disposed by the sprayhead 616 shown as the triangle. FIG. 7(B) depicts the rod 630 that hasmoved down to a new position (based on rod 630 extending out of housing628 by a predetermined amount) where the spray head 616 is now disposedsubstantially vertical with regards to the horizontal surface. FIG. 7(E)depicts a simplified diagram showing the spray head 616 is now disposedsubstantially vertical where the spray head 616 is again shown as atriangle. FIG. 7(C) depicts the rod 630 that has again moved down toanother new position (based on rod 630 extending even more out ofhousing 628 by a predetermined amount) where the spray head 616 is nowdisposed at another angle given by θ₂. FIG. 7(F) depicts a simplifieddiagram showing the angle θ₂ disposed by the spray head 616 shown as thetriangle.

It should be noted that while separate motors 614 and 626 are shown forillustration purposes, such motors 614 and 626 can be made to be part ofhousings 608 and 628, respectively, or can be made to be within thegenerally horizontal platform 612. The location of the motors 614 and626 should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 34 depicts an example kit that may be sold for both height androtational adjustment of the spray gun, where the kit may be mountedonto an existing line striper system. The control device (e.g., as shownin 20(A) through (C)) may also be included as part of the kit.

FIG. 8(A) depicts a simplified example showing how the linear motion ofa mechanism such as a piston-based mechanism may be used to raise orlower the spray gun mount bar having the spray head. FIGS. 8(B) and 8(C)depict another simplified example showing how the rotational motion of amechanism such as a linear sliding mechanism may be used to rotate thespray head in a clockwise or counter-clockwise manner. FIG. 9(A) depictsanother example where a linear motion is used to change the height ofthe spray gun mount bar having the spray head and FIGS. 9(B)-(C) depictanother example where the rotational motion of a motor attached to aplatform holding the spray head is used to rotate the spray head.

To help with precise line striping, one or two lasers may be mounted onthe striper which allows one or more laser dots/points to be shown onthe ground. The user may use the laser dot(s)/point(s) to preciselyconduct the line striping operation. The one or more lasers may bemounted, for example, on the spray gun mount bar, or on the verticalelement that holds the height adjustment mechanism, etc.

In one example, as depicted in FIGS. 13(A)-(B), 14(A)-(B), and15(A)-(F), at least one laser is provided, where an operator can rotatethe laser clockwise or counter-clockwise as part of his/her calibrationor initializing effort of the laser so that the laser dot(s)/point(s)are in a desirable position prior to start of the line stripingoperation. Similarly, the operator may also be able to move the laservia, for example, a linear actuator or micro linear actuator, in amanner where the laser dot(s)/point(s) may be directed up or down andpositioned in a desirable spot prior to the start of the line stripingoperation.

FIGS. 13(A) and 13(B) depict such a first micro linear actuator, where agenerally horizontal platform 1312 (where the platform 1312 may bemounted on the striper) supports a generally vertical housing 1308 whichhas within a rod 1310 which variably (i.e., variable in the length thatprotrudes out of the housing 1308) extends in and out of the housing1308 based on the operation of a motor 1314 (e.g., a brushed D.C. motor)which is controlled by a control device that is similar to thepreviously described control device. Rod 1317 having a laser 1316 at oneend is attached to rod 1310. A second micro linear actuator is providedto control the rotation of the rod 1317. The generally horizontalplatform 1312 supports another generally vertical housing 1328 which haswithin a rod 1330 which variably (i.e., variable in the length thatprotrudes out of the housing 1328) extends in and out of the housing1328 based on the operation of another motor 1326 (e.g., a brushed D.C.motor) which is controlled by a control device that is similar to thepreviously described control device. Rod 1330 is connected to anotherrod 1332, which in turn is connected to the rod 1317. This setupconverts the linear motion of the micro linear actuator (elements 1326,1328 and 1330) into a rotational motion that is used to rotate the rod1317 holding the laser 1316. A camera 1360 may also be provided to viewthe laser dot(s)/point(s) and help the operator place the laserdot(s)/point(s) in a desired location prior to the start of a stripingoperation.

FIGS. 14(A)-(B) depict an operation where an operator moves the laser ina manner where the laser dot(s)/point(s) may be directed up or down andpositioned in a desirable spot prior to the start of the line stripingoperation. FIG. 14(A) depicts the start position of the laser 1316,where the operator decides that the laser is too far away (as indicatedby line 1350) and needs to be brought down closer to him/her near wherethe striping operation is to occur. FIG. 14(B) depicts the scenariowhere the operator issues one or more commands via a control device(similar to the control device described previously) which causes themicro linear actuator (elements 1308 and 1310) to lower by Δh as shownwhere the laser dot(s)/point(s) are now in the desired location asindicated by line 1352.

FIGS. 15(A)-(F) depict an operation where an operator rotates the laserto position the laser dot(s)/point(s) in a desired location prior to thestart of a striping operation. FIGS. 15(A) through 15(C) illustrate anexample of how such rotational motion is achieved. FIG. 15(A) depictsthe rod 1330 at a starting position where the laser 1316 is disposed atan angle given by θ₁. FIG. 15(D) depicts a simplified diagram showingthe angle θ₁ disposed by the laser 1316 shown as the triangle. FIG.15(B) depicts the rod 1330 that has moved down to a new position (basedon rod 1330 extending out of housing 1328 by a predetermined amount)where the laser 1316 is now disposed substantially vertical with regardsto the horizontal surface. FIG. 15(E) depicts a simplified diagramshowing the laser 1316 is now disposed substantially vertical where thelaser 1316 is again shown as a triangle. FIG. 15(C) depicts the rod 1330that has again moved down to another new position (based on rod 1330extending even more out of housing 1328 by a predetermined amount) wherethe laser 1316 is now disposed at another angle given by θ₂. FIG. 15(F)depicts a simplified diagram showing the angle θ₂ disposed by the laser1316 shown as the triangle.

It should be noted that while separate motors 1314 and 1326 are shownfor illustration purposes, such motors 1314 and 1326 can be made to bepart of housings 1308 and 1328, respectively, or can be made to bewithin the generally horizontal platform 1312. The location of themotors 1314 and 1326 should not be used to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 35 depicts an example kit that may be sold for rotational andup/down adjustment of the laser, where the kit may be mounted onto anexisting line striper system. The control device (e.g., as shown in20(A) through (C)) may also be included as part of the kit.

FIGS. 10-12 depict a non-limiting example of an interface of anapplication that is used to control various features described above,including changing the height of the spray gun mount bar having thespray head or rotating the spray gun mount bar having the spray head.

FIG. 10 depicts an example interface that comprises a striper heightcontrol section which comprises a plurality of buttons that may beactivated by touch. The “Laser On”/“Laser Off” buttons may be depressedto turn on and off a laser that an operator may use to conduct a preciseline striping operation. The “Laser Initialize” button may be depressedto initialize the laser's position to a default position. The “HeightInitialize” button may be depressed to initialize the spray gun's heightto a default position. The “Paint On”/“Paint Off” button may bedepressed to turn on the paint for the striping operation. The depicted“UP” arrow (or the triangle pointing up in the circle) may be depressedto raise the spray gun. The depicted “DOWN” arrow (or the trianglepointing down in the circle) may be depressed to lower the spray gun.The depicted “ROTATE CLOCKWISE” arrow (or the triangle pointing right inthe circle) may be depressed to rotate the spray gun clockwise. Thedepicted “ROTATE COUNTER-CLOCKWISE” arrow (or the triangle pointing leftin the circle) may be depressed to rotate the spray guncounter-clockwise.

FIG. 11 depicts another example interface that comprises a striperheight control section which comprises a plurality of buttons that maybe activated by touch. The interface is similar to that of FIG. 10 ,with the exception of an additional camera view of the stripingoperation. The “Camera On” button is depressed to turn on the camerawith a live view displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 11 . Thesample live view shown depicts an operation which started at time, to,where the paint coming out of the spray gun is not centered and is notwide enough. First, at start of time t₁, the operator starts moving thespray head to a more centered location by rotating the spray headclockwise (by depressing the “ROTATE CLOCKWISE” arrow (or the trianglepointing right within the circle). The operator next adjusts the heightof the spray head by depressing the “UP” button (or the arrow pointingup within the circle) and at time, t₂, the operator sees that the lineis still not wide enough. The operator continues to adjust the height ofthe spray head by continuing to depress the “UP” button (or the arrowpointing up within the circle), where at the start of t₃, the desiredline width is achieved.

FIG. 12 depicts another example interface which, in addition to the liveview of the striping operation, shows one or more laser dot(s)/point(s)corresponding to a laser that is used for conducting a precise linestriping operation.

FIGS. 16-19 depict a non-limiting example of an interface of anapplication that is used to provide the operator with control overoperating the laser and positioning the laser in a desired positionprior to the start of the striping operation. FIG. 16 depicts an exampleinterface that comprises a laser control section which comprises aplurality of buttons that may be activated by touch. The “Laser 1On”/“Laser 1 Off” and “Laser 2 On”/“Laser 2 Off” buttons may bedepressed to turn on and off a first laser and, if a second laser isavailable, the second laser, where an operator may use the lasers toconduct a precise line striping operation. The depicted “UP” arrow (orthe triangle pointing up in the circle) may be depressed to move thelaser dot(s)/point(s) away from the operator. The depicted “DOWN” arrow(or the triangle pointing down in the circle) may be depressed to movethe laser dot(s)/point(s) towards the operator. The depicted “ROTATECLOCKWISE” arrow (or the triangle pointing right in the circle) may bedepressed to rotate the laser clockwise. The depicted “ROTATECOUNTER-CLOCKWISE” arrow (or the triangle pointing left in the circle)may be depressed to rotate the laser counter-clockwise.

FIG. 17 depicts another example interface that is similar to theinterface of FIG. 16 , except that the interface in FIG. 17 alsoprovides for a live view of the laser dot(s)/point(s) via a camera suchas camera 1360. In this example, the first laser dot/point (associatedwith, for example, a first laser) on the top of the figure and thesecond laser dot/point (associated with, for example, a second laser) onthe bottom of the figure are both not in a desired location. In FIG. 18, the operator, first, depresses the “Laser 1 On” button to pick thefirst laser and depresses “ROTATE CLOCKWISE” arrow in the interface tomove the first laser dot/point corresponding to the first laser to thecentered position shown in FIG. 18 . In FIG. 19 , the operator, nextdepresses the “Laser 2 On” button to pick the second laser and depresses“ROTATE CLOCKWISE” arrow in the interface to move the second laserdot/point corresponding to the second laser to the centered position.Next, the operator next depresses the “UP” arrow to move the secondlaser dot/point up to its final desired location, which is shown in FIG.19 . Now, when the line striping operation begins, the two laserdots/points guide the user in painting the line stripe precisely.

Many of the above-described features disclosed in the interfaces can beimplemented as software processes that are specified as a set ofinstructions recorded on a computer readable storage medium (alsoreferred to as computer readable medium). When these instructions areexecuted by one or more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or moreprocessors, cores of processors, or other processing units), they causethe processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated in theinstructions. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure mayalso include tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia can be any available media that can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer, including the functional design ofany special purpose processor. By way of example, and not limitation,such non-transitory computer-readable media can include flash memory,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to carry or store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chipdesign. The computer readable media does not include carrier waves andelectronic signals passing wirelessly or over wired connections.

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing or executing instructions and one or morememory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computerwill also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from ortransfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storingdata, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. However,a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can beembedded in another device.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” areentirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store informationin a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude anywireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeralsignals.

FIG. 29 depicts another example that is similar to FIGS. 2-3 and 21-28 ,except in lieu of the rotational mechanism provided in FIGS. 2-3 and21-28 , a motor 2902 mounted towards the rear of the spray gun mount bar208 is used to effect clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of thespray gun mount bar 208, which in effect results in the clockwise orcounter-clockwise rotation of the spray head 210. In FIG. 29 , therotation of the motor is translated to the rotation of the spray gunmount bar 208 and, by extension, the spray head 210. FIG. 30 illustratesa front view of the device depicted in FIG. 29 . FIG. 31 depicts anotherfront view of the device in FIG. 29 , where the motor 2902 has rotatedthe spray gun mount bar 208 to position the spray head 210 as shown.FIG. 32 depicts a rear view of the device when the spray gun mount bar208 and spray head 210 are in a rotated state as shown in FIG. 31 .

It should be noted that while the described spray gun mount bar is whatis being raised or lowered, it is envisioned where the spray gun itselfmay be raised or lowered using the mechanisms described herein. Also,while the described spray gun mount bar is what is being rotated, it isenvisioned where the spray gun itself may be rotated using themechanisms described herein.

It should be noted that while a walk-behind line striper is shown in theaccompanying figures, other transportation units may be used inconjunction with the present invention.

While a single spray gun is depicted for painting one line, the teachingof this specification may be similarly implemented for a system with twoor more spray guns. The use of more than one spray gun is covered withinthe scope of this invention.

For example, FIG. 36(A) depicts an example where a spray gun heightadjustment system for use in a line striper comprising: a control device(as described previously), a modified spray gun mount bar as shown whichhas a T-shaped horizontal element 3602 having two vertical elements 3604and 3606 where the vertical element 3604 has a first gun holder assembly3608 and the second vertical element 3606 holds the second gun holderassembly 3610. A height adjustment mechanism 3612 coupled to the spraygun mount bar (for example, similar to what was described in FIGS.5(A)-(B)) is used to raise or lower the assembly based on signalstransmitted by the control device. Platform 3614 or support 3616 may beused to couple the height adjustment mechanism to the line striper. Thegenerally horizontal platform 3614 supports a generally vertical housing3618 which has within a rod 3620 which variably (i.e., variable in thelength that protrudes out of the housing 3618) extends in and out of thehousing 3618 based on the operation of a motor 3622 (e.g., a brushedD.C. motor) which is controlled by the previously described controldevice. FIG. 36(B) depicts another example for both height and angularrotation, where rod 3622 is connected to another rod 3624 to provide forrotational adjustment of the unit (similar to what was shown in FIG.6(A)-(B)).

FIG. 37 illustrates another example involving two spray guns, where theheight of each of the spray guns are individually controllable via acontrol device. In a non-limiting example, the height adjustmentmechanism shown in FIG. 37 is similar to the one shown in FIGS. 4 and 5(A)-(B), with the vertical element 404 now attached to the verticalelement 3702 for support.

FIG. 38 illustrates another example involving two spray guns, where theheight and rotation of each of the spray guns are individuallycontrollable via a control device. In a non-limiting example, theheight/rotational adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 38 is similar tothe one shown in FIGS. 6(A)-(B), with the vertical element 604 nowattached to the vertical element 3802 for support.

For example, a gas- or battery-operated vehicle may have the disclosedheight adjustment mechanisms, spray guns, etc. mounted within structuresin such vehicles (via, for example, a mount tube that is part of thevehicle). As another example, a gas- or battery-operated vehicle mayhave the disclosed height adjustment mechanisms, spray guns, etc.,mounted on structures external to such vehicles (via, for example, amount tube mounted on an off-the-shelf, manually, operated linestriper), where the vehicle propels such an external structure. As yetanother example, a gas- or battery-operated unmanned vehicle may havethe disclosed height adjustment mechanisms, spray guns, etc., mounted onstructures external to such vehicles (via, for example, a mount tubemounted on an off-the-shelf, manually, operated line striper), where theunmanned vehicle may, either by itself or via remote control, propelsuch an external structure.

Such transportation units are merely provided as non-limiting examples,as other transportation units that are not described within thisdisclosure may be used and are within the scope of the presentinvention.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made tothe spray gun mount without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

CONCLUSION

The above embodiments show an effective implementation of a heightadjustment system for one or more spray guns used in a line striper.While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention bysuch disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modificationsand alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, the presentinvention should not be limited by size, materials, specificmanufacturing techniques, the type of height adjustment mechanism used,or the type of control device used to control the height adjustmentmechanism.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A spray gun height adjustment system foruse in a line striper comprising: (a) a control device receiving aplurality of inputs, the plurality of inputs corresponding to line of adesired dimension; (b) a first spray gun mount bar having a first gunholder assembly to retain a first spray gun configured to paint the lineof the desired dimension; (c) a first height adjustment mechanismcoupled to the first spray gun mount bar configured to raise or lowerthe first spray gun mount bar in response to each input in the pluralityof inputs received via the control device; (d) a second spray gun mountbar having a second gun holder assembly to retain a second spray gunconfigured to paint the line of the desired dimension; (e) a secondheight adjustment mechanism coupled to the second spray gun mount barconfigured to raise or lower the second spray gun mount bar in responseto each input in the plurality of inputs received via the controldevice, wherein the control device transmits, for each input in theplurality of inputs, a signal to the first height adjustment mechanismand the second height adjustment mechanism to raise or lower the firstspray gun mount bar and the second gun mount bar, wherein the firstheight adjustment mechanism and second height adjustment mechanism,responsive to the signal, raising or lowering the first spray gun mountbar and the second spray gun mount bar until painted line is of thedesired dimension.
 2. The spray gun height adjustment system of claim 1,wherein the first and second spray gun mount bars are substantiallyhorizontal, and the first and second height adjustment mechanisms aresubstantially vertical.
 3. The spray gun height adjustment system ofclaim 1, wherein the control device is any of the following: a devicehaving one or more of the following: buttons, keys, scroll wheels, orsliders, a device having a joystick, a device having a keypad, atouchscreen device, a smartphone, a tablet, or a PDA.
 4. The spray gunheight adjustment system of claim 1, wherein either of the first orsecond height adjustment mechanisms is a rack-and-pinion based system.5. The spray gun height adjustment system of claim 1, wherein either ofthe first or second height adjustment mechanisms is a linear actuator.6. The spray gun height adjustment system of claim 1, wherein either ofthe first or second height adjustment mechanisms is any of thefollowing: a mechanical linear actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator,a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, atwisted and coiled polymer (TCP) actuator, a supercoiled polymer (SCP)actuator, a linear motor, or a telescoping linear actuator.
 7. The spraygun height adjustment system of claim 1, wherein the signal istransmitted wirelessly to the first and second height adjustmentmechanisms.
 8. The spray gun height adjustment system of claim 7,wherein wireless data transmission between the control device and thefirst and second height adjustment mechanisms is over any of thefollowing: a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a Wireless ad hocnetwork (WANET), wireless data transmission based on Ultra-Wideband(UWB), wireless data transmission based on magnetic induction, wirelessdata transmission based on infrared wireless (IR), wireless datatransmission based on Wireless USB, wireless data transmission based onZigBee, wireless data transmission based on Z-Wave, wireless datatransmission based on wireless millimeter-wave (MMW or mmW), wirelessdata transmission based on peer-to-peer or ad hoc wireless LAN, wirelessdata transmission based on Wi-Fi, wireless data transmission based onAd-Hoc Wi-Fi, wireless data transmission based on Wi-Fi Direct, orwireless data transmission based on peer-to-peer (P2P) Wi-Fi.